The body of Concepta Leonard, 51, was discovered by members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in her home in Maguiresbridge shortly after 4.30pm on Monday afternoon after her son Conor, 30, managed to raise the alarm. Conor, who has Down Syndrome, was also injured in the attack and spent last night in intensive care being treated for stab injuries.

The body of Peadar Phair, 55, was found nearby, who had attempted to take his own life by hanging. It is understood police performed CPR on Phair and successfully kept him alive until the ambulance service arrived and took over the medical emergency.

Phair was the transported to the hospital by ambulance where he died a short time later.

It is understood that Phair and Leonard had previously dated for a year but that she had broken up with Phair and concerned about his behavior had sought legal action against him. Phair had not been seen in the area for some time, where sources say he was well known for violence.

“Poor Conor was devoted to his mum and now he has lost her. Words cannot describe how that makes us feel.”

Brave Conor succeeded in raising the alarm when Phair, who is said to have worked between Northern Ireland and Scotland as a laborer, turned up at their family home unexpectedly. He spent last night being comforted by staff at South West Acute Hospital where he was being treated in intensive care. It is reported he suffered blood loss during the attack.

PSNI detectives are not looking for anyone else in relation to the murder.

A PSNI spokesman said: “Detectives are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of a 51-year-old woman and 55-year-old man at a house in the Abbey Road area of Lisnaskea.”